my grandad 2 beds and herts

Im trying to research my grandad platoon sgt william (billy) Pickess who fought with 2nd battalion beds and herts.

I know he fought through sicily and onto monte cassinos 4th battle. I want to get details of battalion level rather than division. Any ideas?

 

Hello and welcome to the forum. My father also fought in Sicily and Italy.

I cannot help with a specific book but if you would care to register on our sister site at www.ww2talk.com I am sure someone could help there too.
Are you interested in applying for his service records, link below if you are
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records


Lesley

 

Thats great thank you. As most things battles are often described in division form so its hard to get accurate details.

 

Battalion War diaries at Kew.

WO 166/4131INFANTRY: 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment.1940 July - 1941 Dec.
WO 166/8591 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1942 Jan.- Dec.
WO 166/12476 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1943 Jan., Feb.
WO 167/708 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1939 Sept.-1940 June
WO 169/10175 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1943 July- Dec.
WO 169/16272 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1944 Jan.
WO 170/1358 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1944 Feb-July
WO 170/1359 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1944 Aug-Oct
WO 170/1360 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1944 Nov-Dec
WO 170/4989 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1945 Jan.- Dec.
WO 170/7982 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1946 Jan.- June
WO 175/493 2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment1943 Mar.- June
- See more at: http://arcre.com/wdsearch#sthash.1iaSmxU2.dpuf

Lee who runs that website will copy them for a reasonable fee as will andy who is also a member on here, Drew5233

 

Hi and welcome,

The first thing you need to ascertain is a time line of his service - Applying for a copy of his service records from the MoD is the only 100% way to do this. Once you've done this you can look at the unit war diaries. I already have a copy of the WO 167 2 Beds and Herts diary, you can have a copy of that for free if you order any other one. It's worth mentioning the WO 170 files will be quite thick as they only cover a few months each - I'd guess without even looking to expect 500 to 1,000 pages in each of the WO 170 ones. Drop me a PM if you want any help with the diaries.

Another alternative is get a copy of the regiments history that includes 2nd Battalion, Cap Badge by Medley

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=medley&sts=t&tn=cap+badge

Good luck with your research
Andy

 

You guy's have been a great help. I have now found out he was 13 platoon c coy 2 beds herts. Just by Google ive found out he was involved in rescues in laterina where germans murdered many Italians.

Thanks so much

 

You guy's have been a great help. I have now found out he was 13 platoon c coy 2 beds herts. Just by Google ive found out he was involved in rescues in laterina where germans murdered many Italians.

Thanks so much